Electric clock.



No. 706,8l7. PatentedIAug. l2, I902.

H GILLETTE.

v ELECTRIC cLocK;

(Application filed June 24, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet I.

H m A M JIM 1 I a v 4 Sheets- Sheet 2.

Patented Au I2, I90 H. GILLETTE. g 2

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

(Application filed June 24, 1899.)

(Np Model.)

ERG-531:5. Iii-Iii.-

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ELECTRIC CLOCK. (Applicttion filed June 24, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

N0. 706,8!7. Patented Aug. l2, I902.

H GILLETTE ELECTRIC CLOCK.

\ App1ication filed June 24, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheef 4.

(No Model.)

jizme72r ZzrZsg' 3 617/6276, W 727 duh m: Noms Pam-s w UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

HARLEIGH GILLETTE, OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,817,1dated August 12, 1902.

Application filed June 24, 1899.

T0 to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARLEIGH GILLETTE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Highland Park, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement'in Electric Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in clocks employing a gravitating impelling device which acts against the pendulum or equivalent time-measuring vibrator during a portion of the vibratory movement thereof in one direction and is raised to its normal position after such action by an electromagnet, the circuit of the electromagnet being made and broken under the movement of the pendulum.

My object is to provide certain improvements in clocks of this type with a view to simplifying their construction andto rendering them durable and particularly accurate as timekeepers and economical in the use of the magnet-exciting electricity.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock constructed with my improvements; Fig. 2, a broken and enlarged side elevation of the clock mechanism, certain parts being in section on line A in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a

broken front elevation of the clock mechanism; Fig. 4, a still further enlarged broken elevation of the pendulum-impelling mechana ism with parts in section; Fig. 5, an enlarged section on line B in Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a broken sectional plan View of the contact mechanism shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, an en larged broken and sectional elevation taken on line C in Fig. 4; Figs. 8 and 9, broken sectional diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the contact mechanism for making and breaking the circuit of the electromagnet; Fig. 10, an enlarged broken sectional elevation taken on the irregular line D in Fig. 2; and Fig. 11, a broken sectional View of a spring-tensioning post, the section being taken on line E in Fig. 4.

The clock-case a may be of any suitable design and construction. The train of wheels I; is suitably mounted in a frame 0, fastened in the casing, and terminates in a ratchetwheel d. The pendulum-rod e and bob f may be of any desired construction, though the pendulum-rod should preferably be of Serial No. 721,689. (No model.)

the compensating type to withstand expansion and contraction under variations of temperature. The pendulum is supported upon a flexible spring 1 in a common manner.

It is a swinging arm provided at its upper end with a pair of similar offset bearing projections 2', pivoted upon a stationary bearingpin 70. At its lower end the arm 72, has a lateral extensionl engaging the pendulum, and

between its ends it carries a bent arm m, to

which is pivoted a loose swinging pawl n, which engages the ratchet-wheel d, as shown in Fig. 10. Above and below the pawl are preferably wire guard-fingers 1), rigidly secured to the arm on, which limit the swing of the pawl. Suspended from an arm q is a loose swinging stop or holdback pawl for the ratchet-wheel (Z. The arm q is adjustably secured at one end to the frame 0, whereby the point of engagement of the pawl with the ratchet-wheel may be changed to a limited extent, as required for initial adjustment. The upper finger p prevents the pawl from ever swinging over its pivot, while the lower finger 19 operates to prevent the pawl from taking more than one ratchet-tooth in each movement. Being of wire, the lower finger may be bent as desired forinitial adjustment.

8 is an electromagnet having a core, preferably of soft steel or other metal capable of retaining magnetism to a limited extent. In other words, it isof a construction forming a normally weak permanent magnet. One pole t of the magnet terminates just below the spool,and secured to the other pole is a block a. The electromagnet s and-pin 7a are upon a frame n, which for convenience of construction is separate from the frame 0, which carries the clock-train; The pole-block u may be fastened to the core of the magnet by means of a screw w, as indicated in Fig. 4, or it may be integral therewith, and the magnet may be shifted and positioned with relation to the armature, hereinafter described, by turning a positioning screw 00, passing through a post g on the frame z is a weighted swinging armature-lever, of brass or other non-magnetic metal, pivotally mounted at 1 upon a bearing-pin or rock-shaft on the frame o. The lever z carries an armature 2, preferably of soft steel, which, like the magnet-core and core-block u, may be capable of retaining magnetism to a limited degree. The armature extends slightly beyond the end of the lever .2, as indicated, to form a shoulder 3. The lever 2 has a recess 4 in its upper face and side recesses 5, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, and at its end carries bearing-toes 6, provided with bearing-sockets 7. (See Fig. 6.) On the frame 4; are an insulated binding-post 8 and a post 9, not necessarily insulated. The frame is also provided with a binding-post 10. Extending through the post 8 is an adjustable pointed contact-screw 1l,and extending through the post 9 is an adjustable stop or hearing screw 12, which may be flattened at the end.

13 is a vibratory U-shaped contact piece or frame having pointed bearing ends 14, which rest in the sockets 7 in the end of the lovers. On the contact-piece 13 is a contact-plate 15. Fastened at one end to the contact-plate 15 is a spring 16, which at its opposite end is fastened to a post 17 on the frame o. The spring 16 is connected to an eccentric opening 18 in the post 17, which is screwed into the frame '0, and the spring may be tensioned to a limited extent by turning the post axially. The post 17, spring 16, and contactpiece 13 are so mounted with relation to each other and to the pivot 1 of the leverz that when the end of the lever is down, as shown in Fig. 8, the spring snaps the contact-plate 15 against the bearing-screw 12, while when the end of the lever is raised, as shown in Fig. 9, the spring snaps the contact-plate against the pointed contact-screw 11. In the movement of the contact-plate against the contactscrew 11 the shifting of the fulcrum at the points 14 of the contact piece causes the plate to slide slightly upon the point of the contact-screw, which tends to maintain the contacting surfaces clean.

19 is a pivotal prop having the upward-extending armature-engaging arm 20 and downward-extending arm 21. On its rear side are a pair of bearing-ears 22, pivotally engaging the bearing-pin 70. Connected at one end with the arm 21 is a prop-spring 23, which at its opposite end is fastened to an arm 24 on a post 25, carried by the frame 1;. The arm 24 has angular movement upon the post to regulate the tension of the spring 23 and may be fastened in adjusted position by a jamscrew 26. The tendency of the spring 23 is to swing the prop, whereby its arm 20 will bear against the end of the armature-lever a. On the frame 1), just below the bearing-pin 7c, is a bearing-pin 27.

28 is a weighted lever provided nearits upper end with bearingears 29, at which it is pivotally mounted upon the pin 27. On the lever 28 are an upper curved hearing-finger 30 and a lower curved and shorter guide-finger 31. In the downward swinging of the lever 28, as hereinafterdescribed, the upper finger 30 engages and moves the prop 19 against the resistance of the spring 23. On the upper end of the pendulum-arm 7; is a bracket 32,

through the top of which extends an adj ustable (preferably pointed) bearing-screw 33 to engage the under surface of the armaturelever z. Extending through the arm h is an adjustable and preferably pointed bearingscrew 34 to engage the weighted lever 28.

The electromagnet may be actuated from an electric lighting or power system, or the clock may be provided with an individual battery 35, as indicated. The wire 36 from one pole of the battery is connected with the insulated binding-post 8. The wire 37 from the other pole of the battery may extend through the magnet-winding and a condensing-coil 38 to the binding-post 10 on the frame 7). Then the contact-plate is down, as indicated in Fig. 9, whereby it rests against the contact 11, the electric circuit is closed or made through the magnet and from the post 10 to the post 8 through the frame 1;, lever z, and contact-piece13andcontact-plate 15. Then the plate 15 is snapped against the bearingscrew 12, the circuit is broken.

The operation is as follows: Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts when the pendulum e is nearing the limit of its swing, under the weight of the lever z, in the direction of the arrow. The weighted armature-lever ,2 is descending to a point where the contactframe 13 is being snapped to the contact 11. When this takes place, the electromagnet is instantly excited and draws the armature and armature-lever upward to the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the contact-piece is snapped to the bearing-screw 12 to break the circuit, the magnet is denergized, and the armaturelever is held by the engagement of the prop 19 with the shoulder 3. As the pendulum swings back, or to the left in the figures, the weighted lever 28 at its finger 30 engages the prop 19 and is released by the screw 34. The weighted lever is incapable of moving the prop fromunder the weight of the armaturelever against the resistance of the spring 23. Just as the pendulum reaches the limit of its movement toward the left the bearing-screw 33 engages the under surface of the armaturelever and lifts the latter sufficiently to release the prop 19, so that it will be swung by the weighted lever 28 against the resistance of the spring 23 until the lever 28 strikes the screw 34L. The weight of the armature-lever upon the screw 33 gives a fresh impulse to the pendulum and descends until it arrives at the position shown in Fig. 3, when its change of angle snaps the contact-plate 15 to the contact-point 11 and the operation described is repeated. The guide-finger 31 of the weighted lever 28 moves between the ears 22 of the prop 19 to guide the prop and prevent its binding against the ears 6 of the arm h. The parts carried by the pins k and 27 are retained in place by a removable capplate 40. On the under side of the electromagnet is a preferably soft-rubber buffer-39, which prevents the armature from striking the surface of the pole t. The end of the armature 2 is never in physical contact with the pole u, so that there is no friction to retard the movement of the armature-lever. The block or elongated end portion a of the pole presents a flat surface to the end of the armature, tending to give the maximum pull of the magnet throughout the movement of the armature. This construction also tends to prevent any danger of the armature sticking or freezing to the poles. By providing softsteel or equivalent cores for the electromagnet, which are never completely deenergized, but are incapable without electric excitement of sustaining the weightedarmature-lever, I quicken their actionv upon the armature and greatly limit the amount of current necessary to properly energize them. This is particularly desirable where the clock is provided with an individual battery, because I have found in practice that a battery of convenient size which will operate but a few weeks when soft-iron cores are-employed will last for upward of two years where I employ the soft-steel or equivalent cores, which are never thoroughly demagnetized. The construction of the snapping contact, actuated by change of fulcrum in the movement of the lever, is an important improvement, for the reason that the making and breaking of the contact are effected positively and the circuit is closed but a small fraction of a second in each operation, with consequent economy of current. The pointed bearing ends 14E make a very fine adjustment possible and limit the friction to a minimum. The construction of the prop and its engaging and releasing means is also important, because it acts positively and without danger of failure and without friction upon the weighted armature-lever. The condensing-coil 38 is desirable, because it tends to prevent sparking at the contacts.

If desired, the bearings for the contactpiece points 14, the ends of the pin or shaft 1, and other moving parts may be jeweled to reduce friction.

\Vhile I prefer to construct my improvements throughout as shown and described, they may be variously modified in the matter of details without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.

Nhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator, of a gravity impelling device therefor comprising a pivotal swinging armature-lever, an armature upon and weighting said lever, an electromagnet, a movable circuit making and breaking contact actuated by fall of the armature-lever to close the circuit and by rise of the armaturelever to break the circuit, and a prop for the armature-lever displaced by movement of the said vibrator, substantially as described.

2. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator, of gravityimpelling-lever mechanism therefor, comprising a permanent magnet, a lever-raising armature of too great resistance to be attracted by the permanent magnet alone, an electromagnetwinding for the permanent magnet, and a circuit making and breaking contact actuated under the movement of the vibrator to reinforce the magnet intermittingly to attract the armature, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator, of gravity impelling-lever mechanism therefor comprising a permanent magnet, a vibrator-impelling lever, an armature, upon and weighting said lever, of too great resistance to be attracted by the permanent magnet alone, an electromaguet-winding for the permanent magnet, and a circuit making and breaking contact actuated under the movement of the vibrator to reinforce the magnet intermittingly to attract the armature and raise the said lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator of a pivotal vertically-swinging gravity impelling-lever therefor, a lever-raising armature, an electromagnet having a projecting core extending beyond the path of the end of the armature, means for adjusting the core with relation to the path of the armature, and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a pivotal contact-piece actuated by movement of the said lever, substantially as described.

5. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator, of a pivotal gravity impelling-lever therefor, a lever-raising armature upon and weighting said lever, an electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a relatively stationary contact and a vibratory spring-operated contact-piece actuated to snap to and from the said stationarycontact by change in angle of the said lever, substantially as described.

6. In a clock, the combination with the time-measuring vibrator, of a pivotal gravity impelling-lever therefor, a lever-raising armature upon and Weighting said lever, an electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a relatively stationary contact and a vibratory spring-operated contact-piece pivotally engaging the end of the said lever to snap to and from the said stationary contact by change in angle of the said lever, substantially as described.

7. In a clock, the combination with the pendulum, of a pivotal gravity impellingdever therefor, a lever-raisin g armature, an electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a stop and a stationary electric contact-point close to said stop, a vibratory contact-piece provided with sharpened bearing ends resting end to end against said lever, and extending between said contact-point and stop, and a spring connected. with said contact-piece and with a stationary support and operating to snap the contact-piece alternately to the contact-point and stop under changes in angle between the contact-piece and said impelling-lever, substantially as described.

8. In a clock, the combination with the pendulum, of a pivotal gravity impelling-lever therefor, a lever-raising armature, an electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a stop and a stationary electric contact-point close to said stop, a vibratory contact-piece provided with sharpened bearing ends resting end to end against said lever, and extending between said contact-point and stop, a spring connected with said contactpiece and with a stationary support and operating to snap the contact-piece alternately to the contact-point and stop under changes in angle between the contact-piece and lever, and tensioning means for said spring, substantially as described.

9. In a clock, the combination with the pendulum, of a pivotal gravity impelling-lever therefor, a lever-raising armature, an electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, comprising a stop and a stationary electric contact-point close to said stop, a vibratory contact-piece provided with sharpened bearing ends resting end to end against said lever, and extending between said contact-point and stop, and a spring connected with said contact-piece and with a stationary adjustable spring-tensioning support and operating to snap the contact-piece alternately to the contact-point and stop under changes in angle between the contact-piece and lever, substantially as described.

10. In a clock,the combination with the pendulum, and gravity impelling device therefor comprising a pivotal swinging arm atnrelever, electromagnet and means for making and breaking the electric current through the magnet, of a movable prop for the armaturelever operating normally to engage the same, and a gravitating releaser for the prop actuated by movement of the pendulum, substantially as described.

11. In a clock, the combination with the pendulum, and gravity impelling device therefor comprising a pivotal swinging armaturelever, electromagnet and means formaking and breaking the electric current through the magnet, of a movable prop, a spring connected with the prop and operating normally to move the same into sustaining engagement with the armature-lever, and a gravitating releaser for the prop actuated by movement of the pendulum, substantially as described.

12. In a clock, the combination with the electromagnet and pendulum of a vibratory gravity impelling-lever for the pendulum, a lever-raisin g armature, means for making and breaking the electric circuit through the ma net actuated by movement of the said lever, to close the circuit in the fall of the lever to its lowest limit and open the circuit in the rise of the lever, a movable prop engaging the lever when raised, and a bearing swinging with the pendulum and movable against the lever to effect release thereof from the prop, and subject to the weight of the lever in the descent thereof, substantially as described.

13. In a clock, the combination with the electromagnet, the electric circuit, pendulum, gravity impelling-lever for the pendulum and lever-raising armature, of circuit making and breaking mechanism comprising a vibratory contact-piece 13 having pivotal end-toend engagement with the lever .e' and provided with a contact-surface portion 15, a stop above and a contact below said contact-piece and a snapping-spring 16 for the contact-piece, all arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14:. In a clock, the combination of a leverraising armature having a shoulder 3, a vibrating arm h carrying bearing-pieces 33 and 34, a movable prop l9, and a prop-releasing lever 28, all constructed to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a clock, the combination of a leverraising armature having a shoulder 3, a vibrating arm h carrying adjustable screw-beau ing pieces 33 and 3%, a movable prop, and a prop-releasing lever 23, all constructed to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a clock, the combination of a leverraising armature having a shoulder 3, a vibrating arm 7t carrying bearing-pieces 33 and 35L, a movable prop l9, prop-spring 23, tensioning means for the prop-spring, andapropreleasing lever 28, all constructed to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a clock, the combination of a leverraising armature having a shoulder 3, a vibratoryarm 71 carrying bearing-pieces 33 and 34:, bearing-pins 7c and 27, prop 19, prop-spring 23, and gravity prop-releasing lever 28 having the prop-engaging finger 30 and guidefinger 31, all arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

HARLEIGH GILLETTE.

In presence of ARTHUR DYRENFORTH, D. W. LEE.

IIO 

